Tubular fabric spreader frame



Sept. 24, 196s Original Filed Aug.

E. M. MERRILL TUBULAR FABRIC SPREADER FRAME v 2 sheets-sheet 1 u nl SWL 24, 1968 E. M. MERRILL. 3,402,444

\ TUBULAR FABRIC SPREADER FRAME Original Filed Aug. 5, 1955- 2 Sheets-Sheet 70- 70 sv a United States Patent O 3,402,444 TUBULAR FABRIC SPREADER FRAME Edward M. Merrill, Sayvilie, NY., assignor to Cutting Room Appliances Corp., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York riginal appiication Aug. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 477,372, now Patent No. 3,345,062, dated Oct. 3, 1967. Divided and this application Apr. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 631,350

1 Claim. (Cl. 26-55) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A tubular fabric spreader frame having first, second, and third frame members disposed in substantially coplanar relationship with the first and second frame members provided foi adjustable mutual engagement and each including a side member and a lower horizontal member. The third frame member includes a side member slidably mounted and resiliently biased on the first or second frame member.

This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 477,372; tiled Aug. 5, 1965 now U.S. Patent #3,345,062, issued Oct. 3, 1967, entitled, Cloth Laying Machine for Knit Goods.

This invention relates generally to the field of cloth laying machines, and more particularly to a cloth laying machine adapted to dispense a tubular web of knit goods upon a cloth laying table. Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details adapting the disclosed embodiment to the desired purpose.

The principal problem in handling knit goods, as distinguished from Woven goods, lies in the inherent resiliency of the goods themselves. In the case of woven material, the web of cloth emanating from the supply roll or bolt is relatively, although not entirely, dimensionally stable, wherein the web maintains a more or less constant width, and the alignment of one edge of the web in a common vertical plane with previously positioned layers upon the cutting table is accomplished by simply shifting the cloth supply roll perpendicular to the axis of movement of the carriage element over the cloth laying table, either manually or in response to a sensing device.

By contrast, knit goods are normally dispensed as a fiattened tube, the diameter of which tends to diminish under the influence of a force tending to stretch the same along the principal axis of the tube. Thus, should an attempt be made to lay a knitted textile tube using a cloth laying machine designed for handling single or multiple ply Woven goods, the positively driven roller which rotates in response to movement of the carriage element over the table will not only advance the tubular web, but serve to stretch it as well, thus causing the tube to contract in a direction transverse to the movement of the carriage in varying degrees. Further, if an attempt is made to maintain one edge of the tubular web in a constant vertical plane, misalignment will occur not only from irregular winding upon the supply roll, but also because of irregular contraction caused by stretching of the tubular web. A further diiiiculty is encountered in that, since the feed roll normally contacts only one of the two plies forming the knit tube, there is a tendency for the uncontacted ply to shift relative to the contacted ply, causing undesirable wrinkling as the cloth is laid upon the table.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved cloth laying machine particularly adapted for the handling of knit tubular goods, in which the above-mentioned diiiiculties are substantially limited.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved cloth laying machine particularly adapted for dispensing a tubular knit web upon a cloth laying table in which both plies of cloth forming the tubular knit web are simultaneously driven, to substantially reduce, if not entirely eliminate, shifting of one ply with respect to the other as the web is moved to dispensing position.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved cloth laying machine of the class described having means incorporated therein for the maintenance of the tubular web at a substantially fixed width, and which will prevent transverse contraction during the laying thereof irrespective of longitudinal forces exerted upon the web.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved cloth laying machine of the class described in which all of the component parts thereof may be readily accessible for servicing with a minimum of down time.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved cloth laying machine particularly adapted for use in dispensing knitted goods, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order with consequent Wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the provision of improved constant braking means for the cloth web supply roll which is incorporated into the cloth roll lateral shifting means forming a part thereof.

Another feature of the invention lies in the provision of an improved cloth web divider having resilient and adjustable components.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is a fragmentary side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view thereof, as might be seen from the right-hand portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective corresponding to the upper left-hand portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view corresponding to the upper left-hand portion of FIGURE 1, and showing certain of the component parts thereof in the same altered relative position as that seen in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view as seen from the plane 5 5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation as seen from the plane `6--6 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a view in elevation of the divider element forming a part of the disclosed embodiment, certain altered relative positions of some component parts thereof being indicated in dashed lines.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view in elevation of a flanged collar which serves as braking means for a cloth roll supply shaft.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, includes a cloth laying carriage 11 adapted for movement over a cloth laying table (not shown) of conventional type. The carriage `11 includes a pair of vertical frame members 13 and 14, interconnected by horizontal members (not shown), and provided with Wheeled means (also not shown), the details of Iwhich form no part of the present disclosure. Reference is made to U.S. Patent No.

3 2,980,421, granted Apr. 18, 1961 to Walter Deichmann, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, which discloses typical carriage structures, the details of which may be incorporated into the present structure.

Supported by the carriage 1.1 is a knit goods roll supporting means 17 including an integral braking means, the details of which will more fully appear hereinbelow, the means 17 supporting a knit goods roll 18 from which a web 19 is drawn. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the web 19 includes first and second layers 20` and 21, respectively, joined at -side fold edges 22 and 23. The web 19 passes over a guide element 24 including electric eye sensing means 25 and control means 26, the details of which are disclosed in the co-pending application of Gerard J. Wendelken, Ser. No. 3303419, filed Dec. 13, 1963, now Patent No. 3,222,005, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. The control means 26 operates lateral shifting means 27 which shifts the roll 18 and web 19 in accordance with signals received from the sensing means 25;to maintain the edge 22 in a common vertical plane. As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 2, upon leaving the guide element 24, the web 19 passes about an expandable `divider element 28 before passing between a pair of opposed positively driven feed rolls 29 and 30 operated by a chain drive 31, the details of which are well-known in the art.

Referring to the roll supporting means 17, the same includes a roll supporting shaft 34, a first end (not shown) of which is supported in structure of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,112,107, granted Nov. 26, 1963 to Emmanuel Theodosiou and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. The opposite end 36 is supported upon a nylon roller 37 arranged to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the shaft 34. The roller 37 is supported upon a bracket 38 having vertical guides 39 and 40, in turn supported by an adjustable vertical frame 41 mounted on a lower member 42. A pair of brackets 43 and 44 support horizontally disposed rods 45 and 46 upon which there is mounted a transversely slidable element 47.

The element 47 includes a main body member 48 connected to a sprocket chain 49 passing over idler pulleys 50, 51 and 52, as well as a driven pulley 53. The pulley 53 is mounted on a shaft 54- driven by a shifting motor 55 through gear reduction means 56, the above-described structure forming the lateral shifting means 27.

To permit the roll to be continuously braked as the web 19 is pulled from the roll 18, a braking means 57 is provided. The means 57 includes a pair of vertically disposed link-s 58 and 59 mounted upon pintles 60 and 61 (see FIGURE 4) for rotation about parallel axes. The links 58 and 59 are interconnected by a nut 62 and bolt 63 passing through brackets 64 on each of the links 58 and 59. A coil spring 65 urges the brackets 64 in mutually opposed directions, and from a consideration of FIGURE 4 it will be observed that by adjusting the relationship between the nut 62 and the bolt `63, the horizontal distance between corresponding portions of the links 58 and 59 are adjusted.

Mounted upon the links 58 and 59' are upper pintles 66 and 67, respectively, each engaging the clevis portion 68 of opposed brake shoes 69 and 70'. The shoes 6970 are substantially similar, each including an arcuatelyshaped portion 71 having an inner surface 72 mounting a strip of asbestos or other brake lining material 73. The material 73 engages a flanged collar 74 on the shaft 34 to exert a braking action thereon. The shoes 69`70 are normally urged to an upward position seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 by the action of a coil spring 75 (see FIGURE 6).

By comparing FIGURES 3 and 4 with FIGURE l, it will be observed that as the shaft 34 and attached collar 74 are lowered into the interstice formed by the shoes 69-70, the shoes are pivoted in opposite directions to engage approximately one half of the outer cylindrical CFI surface of the collar 74, and transmit braking torque through set screws, one of which is indicated by reference character 76. The adjustment of the nut 62 and bolt 63 is such that the pivoting action will take place without binding, but is nevertheless sufiicient to exert proper braking torque as the shaft 34- is rotated. It will be observed that the weight of the shaft is borne not by the brake shoes 69-70 but by the roller 37.

The guide element 24 is preferably formed from sheet metal having a polished outer surface, and includes end walls 78 and 79 and a transverse wall 80. The wall 80 includes a curved leading portion `81, a generally planar portion 82 and a curved trailing portion 83 leading to a trailing edge 84. As the web 19 passes over the outer surface of the transverse wall 80, it passes between illamination means 85 and photocell means 86 which sense the edge 22, whereby the shifting motor 55 maintains the edge in a common vertical plane.

The expanding divider element 28 passes internally of the tubular web, and serves to maintain the width o-f the web substantially constant just prior to the passing of the web between the rolls 29 and 30. Since during operation the divider element 28 is completely surrounded by the web 19, it cannot be positively connected to the carriage 11, but, as seen in FIGURE 5, the same is supported within the interstice formed by the rolls 293t). To assure that the sensed edge 22 remains in a constant vertical plane at this point, there is provided an electromagnet 89 and a roller 90 (see FIGURE 2) arranged for rotation about a horizontal axis. During operation, the leftward edge 91 is pulled against the surface of the roller 90, although insulated from direct contact therewith by the presence of the web.

To provide for adjustability in a transverse direction, the divider element 28 includes first and second frame members 92 and 93, respectively. Mounted on the second frame member 93 is a resiliently biased third frame member 94.

The 'first frame rmember 92 includes a lower horizontal member 96 in the form of a hollow sleeve (see FIGURE 5). The member 96 is connected to a vertical member 97 `which is maintained in fixed relation with respect to the above-mentioned roller 90', as Well as upper horizontal members 98. The members 98 mount a springoperated `friction latch 99. The upper end of the vertical member 97 is bent to form a top horizontal member 100 having a downwardly curved end 101 to prevent snagging of the same with the web ,19k

The second frame member 93 is generally similar in configuration, including a lower horizontal member 103` mating with the member 96, a corresponding vertical member 104, an upper horizontal member 105 and a top horizontal member 102 having a downwardly curved end 106. The vertical member 104 mounts a bracket 107, in turn supporting short horizontal members 108 and 109. The members 108- and i109 mount a bracket 110 which define an interstice for the third frame member 94.

The third frame member 94 is resiliently biased with respect to the second frame member 93, and includes a horizontal member 111 slidably disposed in the abovementioned interstice. The inner end 112 thereof mounts one end of a spring 113, the opposite end being connected to the bracket 110. Connected to the outer end of the horizontal member 111 is a. vertical member 114, the outer edge 115 of which contacts the inner surface of the fold edge 23.

Prior to operation, the second frame member 93 is adjusted with respect to the first frame member 92 such that the outer edge 115 of the third frame member 94 will exert a proper degree of tension to maintain the web at a predetermined Width. As the carriage 11 moves over the surface of the cloth laying table, the rolls 29 and 30 will draw the web 19' from the roll 18. As the web passes over the guide element 24, the cooperation of the means 25-26 maintains the web such that the edge 22 remains in a predetermined constant plane. The contact with the guide element 24 is of a sliding nature, providing a minimum of friction which might result in shifting or relative movement between the layers 20-21. Upon leaving contact with the guide element 24, the web engages the divider element 28 as described hereinabove. As the rollers 249-3() feed the web, the divider element 28 is prevented from passing therebetween owing to the width of the interstice formed by the rolls as compared with the width of the divider element 28 at the lower horizontal member 96. The web of cloth is then laid upon the table in =well-known manner, the web being severed at the end of each stroke by suitable well-known means (not shown).

I `wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. An improved divider element tubular knit fabric comprising: a iirst frame member including a lower relatively horizontal member, a side member disposed substantially perpendicular to said horizontal member; a second frame member, including a lower horizontal member, and a side member disposed substantially perpendicular to said last-mentioned lower horizontal member, said iirst mentioned and second mentioned lower horizontal membens having means for adfor use in spreading 20 0131632 justable mutual engagement; and a third frame member including a side member substantially parallel to said rst-mentioned and second-mentioned side members, said third frame member being slidably mounted 0n one of said rst and second frame members, said first, second and third frame members being disposed in substantially eoplanar relationship; and means resiliently biasing said third frame member with respect to one of said iirst and second frame members; whereby yupon adjustment between said first and second frame members to the approximate internal lwidth of a given piece of tubular knit fabric, said third frame member in conjunction with one of said first and second frame members may exert resilient pressure thereagainst to maintain said tubular knit goods in stretched planar condition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1935 Kasanof 26--56 2,339,151 l/l944 Cohn et al. 26--55 FOREIGN PATENTS 198,050 5/ 1923 Great Britain. 940,339 10/196-3 Great Britain. 152.869 l0/1963 Russia.

ROBERT R. MACKEY, Prinmf'y Examiner. 

